Tropical birds get a lot of love, so let's take a moment to appreciate some who prefer chillier climates — and I'm talking Arctic chill.
While the Common redpoll may not be as vibrantly-colored as its cousins south of the equator, that doesn't mean they are any less worthy of being featured in their own spotlight.
Their regular breeding ground is way up in the northern reaches of Canada and Alaska, though throughout the year they are common throughout the state and northern territories.
They can also be spotted pretty regularly in northern parts of Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador.
It's only when food starts to become scarce that they might migrate toward southern Canada and parts of the northern United States.
Though small, they puff up their feathers to trap air for insulation, and unlike most bird species, the redpoll has a pouch in their throat to store food for later.
The food kept in the pouch can stay safe for several hours, so they can quickly stuff themselves with seeds before finding a sheltered place to rest with enough food to last through the storm.
h/t: Audubon
